State Department awards $463K task order for content management system support to Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $463,480 ($463.5K)

Contractor: Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-03-19

End Date: 2026-09-18

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $463,479.62 to CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC for work described as: CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest investment in essential IT infrastructure support. 2. Competition dynamics for this task order were limited, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. The contract duration of 183 days suggests a need for timely and focused support. 4. Performance context is tied to the ongoing operational needs of the Department of State's IT systems. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $463,479.62 task order is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. However, the duration of 183 days suggests a focused scope. The firm fixed-price structure implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the price is competitive. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and comparing them to industry standards for content management system support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This task order was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. While sole-source awards can be justified for specialized needs or existing contractor relationships, they limit the potential for competitive bidding to drive down costs and ensure the best value for the government. The absence of competition means that pricing and service offerings were not tested against the market.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this contract means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution available. Without a competitive bidding process, there is a risk that the price paid is higher than it would have been if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is the Department of State, ensuring the continued functionality of its content management systems. Services delivered include essential support for the content management system, crucial for information organization and accessibility. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of State's operational locations, likely supporting domestic and international functions. Workforce implications are minimal, as this appears to be a support contract rather than a large-scale service delivery requiring significant new personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for urgent or specific, non-recurring support, requiring careful monitoring of scope creep.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Award to a small business (Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC) aligns with federal small business utilization goals.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is vast, encompassing a wide range of support functions for government and commercial entities. Content management systems are critical for organizations managing large volumes of digital information. This contract fits within the niche of IT support services, specifically focusing on maintaining and enhancing the operational capabilities of these systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar task orders would depend heavily on the complexity and scale of the content management system being supported.

Small Business Impact

The award to Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC, a small business, is a positive signal for small business utilization. However, the sole-source nature of the award means this specific contract did not arise from a competitive set-aside. It is important to understand if this contractor will be subcontracting any portion of the work, and if so, whether those subcontracts will be directed towards other small businesses, further amplifying the positive impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Support Contracts
Content Management System Services
IT Services for Federal Agencies
Small Business IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Limited duration may indicate a need for careful scope management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $463,479.62 to CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC. CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $463,479.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-19. End: 2026-09-18.

What is the specific nature of the 'content management system support' required by the Department of State under this task order?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT TASK ORDER' under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). While the specific system is not named, this type of support typically involves maintaining, updating, and ensuring the operational readiness of software platforms used to create, store, manage, and publish digital content. This could include tasks such as system administration, user support, software patching and upgrades, data migration, troubleshooting, and potentially minor customization or integration work. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work is expected to be completed within the allocated budget and timeframe.

How does the $463,479.62 contract value compare to typical spending for similar IT support task orders at the Department of State?

Without access to a comprehensive database of historical Department of State IT support task orders, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $463,479.62 for a 183-day (approximately 6-month) task order falls within a moderate range for specialized IT support. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive IT services would naturally be significantly higher. This value suggests a focused scope, possibly addressing a specific system's needs or a particular phase of support. The sole-source award, however, prevents a direct value-for-money assessment against competitive bids, which could have revealed if this price point is optimal.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for IT support services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and potentially suboptimal service quality. Without multiple vendors bidding, the government may not secure the most cost-effective solution or the vendor with the best technical approach. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may lack the necessary innovation or responsiveness that competition often fosters. For the Department of State, this means potentially overpaying for the services or receiving less value than could have been achieved through a competitive process. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.

What is the track record of Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC in performing similar IT support contracts for the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC for this type of IT support is not detailed in the provided data. As a small business, their contract history would need to be reviewed through federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to assess past performance on similar task orders. Key aspects to examine would include their success in delivering on time and within budget, client satisfaction ratings, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. Understanding their experience with content management systems specifically would be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this task order effectively.

How does the $463,479.62 award fit into the Department of State's overall IT spending or budget for content management systems?

This task order represents a relatively small portion of the Department of State's overall IT budget. The Department manages a vast and complex global IT infrastructure, requiring significant investments in hardware, software, cybersecurity, and personnel. A $463K task order for specific system support is likely a component of a larger strategy or ongoing operational need. To understand its fit, one would need to examine the Department's total IT spending, the budget allocated to content management solutions, and how this task order aligns with broader IT modernization or sustainment initiatives. Its size suggests it's for targeted support rather than a major system overhaul.

Are there any specific performance indicators or metrics that will be used to evaluate the success of Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC in this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance indicators or metrics for this task order. However, for a firm fixed-price contract of this nature, performance evaluation typically revolves around the successful completion of the defined scope of work within the agreed-upon schedule and budget. Key metrics might include system uptime, response times for support requests, successful implementation of patches or updates, and adherence to security protocols. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these aspects and ensuring the contractor meets the contractual requirements. Formal performance reports or reviews would likely occur at key milestones or upon contract completion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM26R0133

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 72632 COYOTE RD, PENDLETON, OR, 97801

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,421,790

Exercised Options: $466,191

Current Obligation: $463,480

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline